Dallas is My Home

01
Jul

Dallas Commissioners Warn Sheriff To Stop Filming

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Crime, Gay & Lesbian, Media, News, Politics

The Dallas County Commissioners have issued a warning to Sheriff Lupe Valdez: stop all plans for documentary filming in the jail or face a legal injunction.

The Commissioners unanimously agreed to issue a temporary restraining order against the Sheriff and The Discovery Channel. The cable operation planned to film a documentary on the operation of the county jail.

At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, the sheriff stated that she conferred with her legal advisors and that the shooting was green lighted. She signed a contract without the approval of the Commissoners Court and, according to state law, she is within her rights to do so since the taping would not intefere with the public or the running of jail business.

Valdez has been under a firestorm of criticism regarding her running of the jails and she felt that Discovery’s shooting would help document the improvements that have happened on her watch. And to note, this is her first term and she’s Dallas’s first woman / lesbian sheriff who was elected under the landslide of Democratic appointees in the last elections.

Dallas County already faces legal fights regarding the condition of the jail and treatment of inmates. They have prohibited access to other entities and apparently had no knowledge of the documentary plans.

16
Jun

Petition Asking That Industrial Be Renamed for Stevie Ray Vaughan

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Arts, Call to Action, Downtown, Government, Music, News, Politics

Stevie Ray Vaughan is the pride & joy of Dallas. He was born here, raised in Oak Cliff and his final resting place is at Laurel Land Cemetery.

After much uproar over Industrial possibly being named for Cesar Chavez, a man who is not a Texan, the feedback has been amazing from the local community asking for Stevie Ray Vaughan to be honored.

You are welcome to sign the petition also and let your friends know that their signatures are needed ASAP!

16
Jun

Motorcycle / Scooter Parking Petition

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, Call to Action, Downtown, Motorcycles, Politics, Traffic

The petition asking for the City of Dallas to implement designated motorcycle/scooter parking is still going strong.

With more than 860 signatures in less than 3 weeks, it is still going strong with a decent amount of media attention and the City of Dallas is beginning to pay attention to this situation BUT more signatures are still needed.

So please take time to sign the petition and let your friends know about it as well!

http://www.petitiononline.com/dallasbp/petition.html

21
Mar

US Bowling Congress Receives State Funds For Move

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Business, News, Politics, sports

The state of Texas will pay the US Bowling Congress $693,000 from the Texas Enterprise Fund to spur it to relocate its headquarters from Greendale, Wis., near Milwaukee, Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s office announced.

The enterprise fund award was the last hurdle stopping the organization, which sets the rules and keeps records for amateur bowling in the United States.

The group is expected to set up headquarters near the HQ of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which is on Six Flags Drive in Arlington.

Its new headquarters, is expected to house 200 employees and a 12 to 16-lane bowling facility for testing equipment and training.

Though the property sale of the site hasn’t cleared, the agents involved in the transaction on behalf of the Bowling Congress and the Bowling Proprietors Association of America say the competitive real estate market in North Texas helped clinch the deal.

Besides the enterprise fund incentives, Arlington’s proposal included:

* a 50% tax abatement on property improvements made to the building site;
* work force training;
* a cash rebate of some money generated through Arlington’s hotel tax as a result of Bowling Congress-related events.

The bowling deal brings North Texas one step closer to becoming a sports hub, in light of Dallas being home to the Mavericks and the Stars, and Arlington being home to the Texas Rangers and the future home to the Dallas Cowboys’ new stadium.

04
Mar

Quote of the Day

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Government, Politics, Quote of the Day

Be thankful we’re not getting all the government we’re paying for.

Will Rogers

04
Mar

Voting is On…

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Call to Action, Politics

So much for “Super Tuesday” - today is supposedly do or die for Hillary and Obama. They each have to win both Texas and Ohio or if they split them, the battle continues until probably late summer when they have their convention.

Republicans meanwhile seem to be twiddling their thumbs because McCain has everything almost sewn up.

If you need to know where to vote, check your voter registration card for your precinct and visit the Dallas County Elections site to find out where you need to cast your ballot.

28
Feb

Tomorrow is Last Day for Early Voting

Author: Raine Devries, Category: Commentary, Politics

This post is part information because of early voting this week and part “fired up” commentary for Lane who is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a brother.

It’s coming down to the wire for the Democratic contenders for the White House. Get your voice heard by voting in the early primaries…you have until this Friday, February 29 at 7pm to cast your vote at one of these locations.

As a personal commentary, even though Obama is getting so much hype and he has the liberal press so ga ga over his powerful, yet plagiarized, speeches, I have dubbed him “Cotton Candy“.

Oh yes…Cotton Candy is tempting and it’s nice to have a taste of it but my God do you honestly want to have it every day for 4 years?! Cotton Candy is light, fluffy and absolutely no substance.

Alas, if only Donald Duck were running and then I’d feel like I had someone to vote for this November….